Weather Phenom

Growing up in Florida, I have survived mother-nature's wrath with lightning storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and brush fires. I always felt safe in my environment. Living in the mid-West, I am now having to learn how to adapt to other forms of severe weather, such as blizzards, ice storms, and sub-zero temperatures.

On Sunday, I had another new experience. For the first time, I did not feel safe in my surroundings. My hubby and I were out walking the dog when the sirens began. We watched the storm clouds moving in, but it was still dry outside. As we stood there listening to the sirens, I knew what they were, but my hubby did not. Several neighbors came out and were looking at the sky. Someone else asked, "what is that?" Another person explained it was the tornado siren. We all continued standing outside.

I know this may not sound smart to others, but I explained it to my hubby why I remained outside until the rain and hail began. We live in a wood structure. The building violently shakes during a thunderstorm. You can hear wind rushing through the vents in our bathroom (the only interior room). With the idea of shoddy construction around me, I had no belief in my safety inside my dwelling.

It was the first time in my life that I truly felt unsafe. Obviously, I would go into my interior room and hope for the best. Apparently, a tornado was spotted a little south of us, so we managed to avoid this crisis. It really makes me debate the whole having a house with a basement theory.

Funny, I was safer during the three hurricane season when Hurricane Charley tore sections off the roof or when Hurricane Elena left water rushing through our front yard.